LISBURN girl Ruth Carberry had a double
reason to celebrate this week.

The former Wallace High School pupil was part
of a team of three undergraduates from the University of
Northumbria who won the Institute of Direct Marketing National
Student Competition and discovered she has been awarded a first
class honours degree.

Ruth and her two colleagues were winners of
the 11th National Student Competition Award announced at the IDM
Patrons' Dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel, Park Lane on 3 July.

The winners emerged following a tense pitch
against two other finalists. The girls took the Gold award ahead
of an all-male rival team, also from the University of
Northumbria, which took Silver, while a team from De Montfort
University was Highly Commended.

The 2008 brief, supplied by TEQUILA \ London
and client, the British Army, asked entrants to develop a new
programme targeting 16-18 year-olds entering further and higher
education, through to the point where they are making career
decisions.

The winning team impressed the judges with an
integrated campaign with the proposition: "Take on a world of
opportunities. Take on a career in the British Army". TEQUILA \
London's Amanda Forwood said: "The winner stood out in
particular, as they demonstrated a thorough understanding of the
brief and application of their studies. Not only did they think
beyond the brief but they provided comprehensive research and
support for their proposal." Ruth also discovered this week that
she had achieved a First Class honours degree in Marketing
Management.

She has been offered a position by the food
giant HJ Heinz and will be entering their graduate scheme in
September.